Wastewater processing at atmospheric pressure

ABSTRACT

A wastewater collection tank feeds a vaporizing unit through an inlet near the unit&#39;s top. A burner produces heat, which a blower blows through a blower tube that passes through the upper portion of the unit to the bottom portion of the unit. A substrate through which heated air can pass extends across the unit between the bottom of the blower tube and the wastewater inlet, and pall rings rest on the substrate. The heated air moving upward through the unit heats the pall rings and the falling wastewater, a substantial portion of which is vaporized at approximately atmospheric pressure. The vapor is vented from the top of the unit. Un-vaporized wastewater collects at the bottom of the unit and is recycled through the system with raw wastewater in the collection tank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/192,083, filed Nov. 15, 2018, entitled “Wastewater Processing at Atmospheric Pressure,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Water is often used for or generated by various tasks in the oil and gas industry. For example, water may be injected into a well to re-pressurize a reservoir, water may be pumped from a well in the process of extracting oil or gas, and water may be used to deliver proppants to underground fractures. As a result, a great deal of wastewater is generated. Significant operational costs are incurred by oil and gas owners and operators related to the disposal or re-use of such wastewater. Many other high-volume, remote location wastewater generators have similar significant operational costs for disposal of wastewater.

Dealing with wastewater often involves one or more unit operations, such as distillation, filtration, and vaporization. Distillation is an energy-intensive process that frequently requires large distillation columns. Filtration may require frequent filter changes to keep the system operating at the desired contaminant levels. Vaporization may require pre-conditioning and/or high-pressure operation. As a result, a wastewater producer must have personnel on hand to operate wastewater processing units and must have the required energy and materials available to process the produced wastewater. Many wastewater processing units are large, fixed installations not suitable for mid-volume remote locations. If a producer does not deal with the wastewater where it is produced, they must ship it, often long distances from remote locations, for processing and/or disposal. Such shipping and disposal costs can add significantly to operational costs. Thus, processing and/or disposal of wastewater from oil and gas and other remote operations may be particularly costly and/or cumbersome.

While a variety of wastewater processing systems and methods have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used an invention as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary wastewater processing system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary water collection unit;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary vaporization unit;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic diagrams of components of the vaporization unit of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict an exemplary pall ring;

FIG. 6. is a plan view of an exemplary water transfer system of use in a wastewater processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary wastewater processing system that is mobile; and

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary exhaust stack of use in a wastewater processing system of FIG. 1.

The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is, by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Wastewater processing systems according to the present disclosure may be utilized to process wastewater from oil and/or gas operations as well as other high volume, remote location wastewater generators, including without limitation, landfill leachate and livestock wastewater. “Unprocessed wastewater,” or “raw wastewater,” in some embodiments of the invention is water that has been generated in the production of oil or gas.

Exemplary wastewater processing apparatuses may comprise a chamber, a burner, a blower, a wastewater introduction port, and a vent. The chamber may have an upper portion, a lower portion, and an outer wall. The burner may be configured to output hot air. The blower may be configured to deliver the hot air to the lower portion of the chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure. The hot air is hot enough to vaporize at least a portion of the introduced wastewater.

Exemplary wastewater processing methods may comprise the following steps. Wastewater is introduced through a wastewater introduction port into an upper region of a chamber. Hot air is introduced into a lower region of the chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure, where the hot air is hot enough to vaporize a substantial portion of the wastewater as it moves downward through the chamber. The vaporized portion of the wastewater is vented.

Exemplary wastewater processing methods may comprise the following steps. A first batch of wastewater is collected. The first batch of wastewater is vaporized by exposing the first portion to heated air at approximately atmospheric pressure to form a first vapor. A mix of both un-vaporized water from the first portion and additional wastewater from the first batch is collected and recycled to create a second portion of the first batch of wastewater. At least part of the second portion of the first batch of wastewater is vaporized by exposing the second portion to heated air at approximately atmospheric pressure to create a second vapor.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram generally illustrating exemplary wastewater processing system (1000) in accordance with the present disclosure. Wastewater processing system (1000) comprises water collection unit (200) in fluid communication with vaporization unit (300).

A batch of raw wastewater (001) is transferred into water collection unit (200) via feed pump (101). Raw wastewater (001) is dispensed from a water collection unit into vaporization unit (300) in a continuous stream via pump (102). Vaporization unit (300) vaporizes a portion of raw wastewater (001) at around atmospheric pressure using hot air to create water vapor (010). Water vapor (010) exits vaporization unit (300) and is released into the atmosphere outside of wastewater processing system (1000).

A portion of the first aliquot of raw wastewater that is not vaporized, i.e., un-vaporized water (003), collects in the vaporization unit (300). There, un-vaporized water (003) continues to be exposed to hot air, redirecting the hot air as discussed below while further heating that un-vaporized water (003) and possibly causing additional evaporation at its surface. In some embodiments, the absorption of heat by un-vaporized water (003) also reduces the temperature of the hull and other components of vaporization unit (300) during operation.

After un-vaporized water (003) reaches a threshold level within vaporization unit (300), it is transferred via pump (103) into water collection unit (200) where it at least partially mixes with the raw wastewater (001) already present therein. The resulting mixed wastewater (001/003) is dispensed in a continuous stream from water collection unit (200) into vaporization unit (300), where it is partially vaporized and released as water vapor (010) into the atmosphere. Un-vaporized portions of mixed wastewater (001/003) collect in vaporization unit (300), remain further exposed to the incident hot air, and are recycled to the water collection unit (200).

Release of vapor (010) and recirculation of mixed wastewater (001/003) between water collection unit (200) and vaporization unit (300) occurs for a given amount of time, until the source of available raw wastewater (001) is depleted, until only a minimum amount of mixed wastewater (001/003) remains, until mixed wastewater (001/003) contains a predetermined, acceptable concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), and/or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or until one or more other criteria are met (as will occur to those skilled in the art), after which the now “processed” water (004) is released from the water collection unit (200) for disposal. If additional wastewater is to be processed, another batch of raw wastewater may be transferred into wastewater processing system via water collection unit (200) for processing as described above. The further addition of raw wastewater may be repeated as needed until the raw wastewater to be processed is depleted.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary water collection unit (200) that is of use in wastewater processing system (1000). In general, water collection unit (200) is configured to: collect raw wastewater (001) to be processed, dispense raw wastewater (001) to vaporization unit (300) in a continuous stream, receive aliquots of un-vaporized water (003) from vaporization unit (300) where it mixes with wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) already present in water collection unit (200) and to repeat the wastewater (001/003) collection and recirculation until such time as the resulting processed water (004) has appropriate concentrations for disposal or other criteria have been met as will occur to those skilled in the art.

Exemplary water collection unit (200) comprises raw wastewater inlet (210) proximal to top portion (201) of water collection unit (200). Raw wastewater (001) to be processed may, for example, enter collection unit (200) through raw wastewater inlet (210) directly from a feed tank, from a gas or oil well, industrial processing site, landfill leachate pool, and/or naturally occurring water source.

Aliquots of raw wastewater (001) to be processed are dispensed through raw water inlet (210) into water collection unit (200) using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, via feed pump (101) as shown in FIG. 1. Raw wastewater (001) may be dispensed through raw water inlet (210) into water collection unit (200) at a rate suitable for the materials and equipment, such as a rate between about 6 and about 17 gallons per minute (“gpm”).

At least some of raw wastewater (001) that is dispensed into water collection unit (200) collects in a conical bottom portion (202) of water collection unit (200). To aid in collection of the heavier “processed” wastewater (004), exemplary water collection unit (200) has a conical bottom portion (203). In various embodiments, at least two water outlets (211, 214), water inlet (212), and deflection plate (213) are located in or near a conical bottom portion (202). Automatic sensor (215) monitors the level of raw or mixed wastewater (001/003) that is present in water collection unit (200), and a controller (900) (see FIG. 7) manages transfer of raw wastewater (001) in and mixed wastewater (003) out at least in part as a function of the level detected.

Raw wastewater (001) is dispensed in a continuous stream from collection unit (200) to vaporization unit (300) through water outlet (211). Likewise, un-vaporized water (003) is received into water collection unit (200) from vaporization unit (300) through water inlet (212) as described in further detail below. Water inlet (212) is located below water outlet (211).

By locating water outlet (211) above water inlet (212), less concentrated (i.e., less dense), mixed wastewater (001/003), which may require additional processing is readily dispensed from water collection unit (200) to vaporization unit (300) through water outlet (211), whereas more concentrated mixed wastewater (001/003) remains towards the bottom of collection unit (200).

Recirculation of un-vaporized water (003) into water collection unit (200) from vaporization unit (300) occurs until mixed wastewater (001/003) is reduced to a certain predetermined level (volume) in water collection unit (200). Resulting processed water (004) is then released from water collection unit (200) through water outlet (214) using any suitable means, such as via gravity feed, utilizing a pump, and combinations thereof, to a storage tank, transport, or other destination, all as will occur to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of exemplary vaporization unit (300). Vaporization unit (300) comprises a cylinder (301) defined by contiguous wall (302) connecting top wall (303) of cylinder (301) to bottom wall (304) of cylinder (301).

Cylinder (301) comprises two internal chambers: vapor chamber (305) and separation chamber (306). Vapor chamber (305) is defined between contiguous wall (302) of cylinder (301) and wall(s) (307) of burner tube (360) (described below). Vapor chamber (305) is disposed above separation chamber (306) and is separated from separation chamber (306) by a substrate that allows water and vapor to readily pass therethrough, for example, grating (308) as shown in FIG. 3.

Burner (350) is disposed proximal to top wall (303) of cylinder (301). The exemplary burner may be capable of being fueled by any of a variety of types of fuel, such as propane, methane, or natural gas including without limitation flare gas, though some embodiments will use single-fuel burners as will occur to those skilled in the art. Burner tube (360) extends from burner (350) through top wall (303) of cylinder (301), into and through vapor chamber (305), through grating (308) and partially into separation chamber (306).

Blower (370) is configured to blow heated exhaust and combustion air gases (depicted in FIG. 3 as downward arrows “D”) from burner (350) into and through burner tube (360) and out into separation chamber (306). In some embodiments, blower (370) is from PENNBARRY of Plano, Tex. (USA) and has a “silencer” built in to reduce the amount of sound produced, though other products and features will provide this function in other embodiments. The force of blower (370) causes heated exhaust gases to deflect from the bottom wall of the separation chamber, and/or from any un-vaporized water (003) that has collected there, to rise up through grating (308) and through the vapor chamber (depicted in FIG. 3 as upward arrows, labeled “U”).

Raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) is introduced into vaporization unit (300) through one or a plurality of water inlet ports (380) proximal to the top of the vaporization unit (300). Raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) passes through water distribution system (390) that disperses the wastewater inside vapor chamber (305).

Turning for a moment to FIG. 4A, yet with continuing reference to FIG. 3, a front view of water distribution subunit (400) of exemplary water distribution system (390) is shown. Water distribution subunit (400) comprises pipe (401) that is fluidly connected with water inlet port (380). Pipe (401) is perforated with plurality of holes (402) and has open ends (403). When in use, raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) enters pipe (401) through water inlet port (380), flows through pipe (401) and exits pipe (401) through plurality of holes (402) and/or through open ends (403) of pipe (401) and falls through vapor chamber by gravity (305).

Referencing FIG. 4B, a bottom plan view of water distribution subunit (400) shows that subunit (400) may comprise pipe (401) that is bent to mimic or approximate the inside curvature of contiguous wall (302) of cylinder (303). Alternative configurations of water distribution system (390) that introduce raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) into vapor chamber (305) will occur to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

Referencing FIG. 4C, which is a top cross-sectional view looking down into vaporization unit (300), a series of water distribution subunits (400) such as the one shown in FIG. 4B may be distributed around the inside of contiguous wall (302) of cylinder (303) in order to distribute raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) evenly throughout vapor chamber (305).

Advantageously, wastewater processing system (1000) in accordance with the present disclosure vaporizes raw wastewater (001) and mixed wastewater (001/003) as it falls due to gravity without the need to pressurize vaporization unit (300). Consequently, wastewater processing system (1000) may operate at approximately atmospheric pressure, thereby eliminating any danger or inconvenience that might be associated with pressurizing the vaporization unit (300).

Wastewater processing system (1000) vaporizes raw wastewater (001) and mixed wastewater (001/003) by exposing it to heat at one or more loci. For example, referencing FIG. 3, heated exhaust gases traveling through burner tube (360) may heat walls (307) of burner tube (360). Raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) contacting or passing close to walls (307) of burner tube (360) may absorb heat therefrom. Additionally or alternatively, raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) falling through vapor chamber (305) may absorb heat from heated exhaust gas that is deflected from bottom wall (304) of the separation chamber (306) and/or from any non-vaporized wastewater (003) that has collected there and that rises up through grate (308) and through vapor chamber (deflected exhaust gas depicted in FIG. 3 as upward arrows, labeled “U”). Additionally or alternatively, un-vaporized water (003) collected in separation chamber (306) may absorb heat from heated exhaust gas that is exiting burner tube (360) when it contacts the surface of un-vaporized water (003) (downward-moving exhaust gas being depicted in FIG. 3 as downward arrows, labeled “D”). Exposure of raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) to heat at one or more of these points causes at least a portion of the same to form water vapor (010). Water vapor (010) exits vaporization unit (300) and wastewater processing system (1000 in FIG. 1) and passes into the atmosphere through at least one vent (340) and, in exemplary wastewater processing system (1000) shown in FIG. 3, two vents (340).

To prolong exposure time of raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) to heated exhaust gases as the water and gasses concurrently pass through vapor chamber (305), one or more baffles may be disposed in vapor chamber (305). For example, in vaporization unit (300) shown in FIG. 3 for exemplary wastewater processing system (1000) in FIG. 1, vapor chamber (305) is at least partially filled with a plurality of pall rings (500), such as the stainless steel pall ring (500) shown in FIG. 5, a CHRISTYPAK metal pall ring made of 304 stainless steel and having a nominal outer diameter of 1.5″ distributed by Christy Catalytics, St. Louis, Mo. Because each pall ring (500) comprises a plurality of openings (501) and exposes substantial surface area, when such pall rings (500) are distributed inside vapor chamber (305), such pall rings (500) retain heat from heated exhaust gas passing through, induce turbulence in the heated exhaust gas, and greatly increase the heated surface area to which the water passing therethrough is exposed. Such heat retention, turbulence, and increased heated surface area promote more efficient heat transfer between heated exhaust gas and water (001/003), which may in turn result in increased vaporization of raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003).

Even with the increased turbulence and heat transfer caused by pall rings (500) in vapor chamber (305), only a portion of raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) becomes water vapor (010) as it passes through vapor chamber (305). For example, in some embodiments in which about 50 gpm of mixed wastewater (001/003) is introduced into vaporization unit (300), only about 6 gpm to 15 gpm of wastewater might be vaporized and released into the atmosphere. Un-vaporized water (003) collects in separation chamber (306) of vaporization unit (300). Presence of un-vaporized water (003) in separation chamber (306) may provide a number of benefits including, but not limited to collecting and concentrating remaining TDS, TSS, and/or VOCs for subsequent processing or disposal and cooling vaporization chamber (300) to desired operational levels.

The level of un-vaporized water (003) in separation chamber (306) is monitored using automated sensor (330). Once the level of un-vaporized water (003) is above a predetermined depth, a controller (900) (see FIG. 7) transfers excess un-vaporized water (003) from separation chamber (306) back to water collection unit (200) via water inlet (212) for subsequent processing or disposal. Since un-vaporized water (003) is heated while it is in vaporization unit (300) as described above, when it is returned to the water collection unit (200) and mixed with raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) already present in water collection unit (200), further heat transfer occurs, thus raising the temperature of the next aliquot of mixed wastewater (001/003) to be transferred into vaporization unit (300), thereby driving efficiency in subsequent vaporization of mixed wastewater (001/003) therein.

In this illustrated embodiment, when sufficient raw waste water (001) or mixed waste water (001/003) has been vaporized, or sufficient time has passed, or for other reasons understood by those skilled in the art, wastewater processing system (1000) may be shut down, either automatically under the control of a controller (900) (see FIG. 7) or under user control. Depending on the implementation and/or context, raw waste water (001) and mixed waste water (001/003) ceases to be delivered to vaporization unit (300), and the system continues to operate burner (350) and blower (370) for a period of time while the raw waste water (001) and mixed waste water (001/003) passes through vapor chamber (305). Burner (350) and blower (370) are then turned off, and the raw wastewater (001) and mixed wastewater (001/003) in separation chamber (306) is transferred back to water collection unit (200) via water inlet (212).

Exemplary vaporization unit (300), shown in FIG. 3, comprises a cleaning port (315) in separation chamber (306). If, for example, un-vaporized water (003) present in separation chamber (306) becomes saturated with other materials, e.g., if chloride and solids precipitate from un-vaporized water (003), unwanted deposits may occur inside separation chamber (306). In these and other circumstances, cleaning port (315) may be useful since it allows ready access into separation chamber (306) for cleaning and other purposes.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of exemplary water transfer system (600) for transferring raw wastewater (001) and mixed wastewater (001/003) between water collection unit (200) and vaporization unit (300). Exemplary water transfer system (600) may be useful when wastewater processing system (1000) is deployed on a trailer or truck bed as described in further detail below.

Exemplary water transfer system (600) comprises a series of hoses and/or pipes (601, 602, 603) and pumps (611, 612, 613). Raw wastewater (001) or mixed wastewater (001/003) is dispensed from collection unit (200) through water outlet (211), through tube (601) via pump (611), through water inlet (380) and into vaporization unit (300). Un-vaporized water (003) is dispensed from vaporization unit (300) through water outlet (103), through tube (602) via pump (612), through water inlet (212) and into collection unit (200). Processed water (004) is dispensed from collection unit (200) through water outlet (214), through tube (603) via gravity and/or pump (613).

Electrical and electromechanical components of wastewater processing system (1000) may be connected to and controlled by a control system. The control system comprises modules to functionally execute steps of processing of raw wastewater (001). The control system may include an operating conditions module, a user request module, a processing control module, an actuation module, and other modules known to those skilled in the art. The operating conditions module interprets operating conditions, such as temperatures, pressures, water and gas flow rates, presence of unwanted gases, e.g., carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and the like, by reading various sensor outputs, receiving data messages over a network, and/or through any other method understood in the art. The user request module interprets at least one user request, which, in the present embodiment, includes a target parameter value, for example, a processing target (in terms of weight, volume, or other metric) or time target. The user request module may process the user request by sending a data message over a network, by comparing an operating condition to a pre-calibrated value, or the like. Without limitation, a user of the request module may be a person, but may also be an application, a computer in communication with the application, and/or a computer in use by a person (not shown) monitoring the system, and the request may be produced in a direct response to an action by the user, may be scheduled, or may otherwise be programmatically generated as will occur to those skilled in the art.

The control system may further include a network that connects more than one computer to each other and to the control system. Additionally, the network may connect modules within the control system to each other and may connect the control system to wastewater processing system (1000). The network may comprise multiple components, for example a LAN, WAN, satellite connection, the internet, and communications within a server and/or computer. Since the control system may allow for wastewater processing systems (1000) to be controlled remotely, it may eliminate the need for having personnel physically present to operate wastewater processing operations.

Wastewater processing systems (1000) according to the present disclosure may be configured and installed in a container such that the systems (1000) are mobile. For example, mobile wastewater processing systems (1000) may be hauled to a site utilizing a commercial semi, pickup truck, or other motor vehicle capable of holding and/or towing wastewater processing systems (1000) when they are disposed on a trailer. Alternatively, wastewater processing systems (1000) may be airlifted to remote locations via helicopter or cargo plane. Thus, wastewater processing systems (1000) may be delivered directly to where raw wastewater (001) is generated, including but not limited to the site of an oil or gas well, industrial processing facility, landfill leachate pool, livestock wastewater holding ponds, and/or naturally occurring water source. Consequently, wastewater processing systems (1000) may eliminate or substantially reduce the need to ship wastewater from sites, and be especially advantageous at remote sites, thus eliminating or simplifying often complex logistical issues and the associated costs.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary mobile implementation of wastewater processing system (1000). This exemplary container (700) is approximately 8 feet wide, 24 feet long, and 13 feet high (8′×24′×13′) but might be smaller. The small size of the container facilitates easier transport and use in numerous applications.

FIG. 7 depicts exemplary wastewater processing system (1000) that is disposed in container (700), where internal structural components may be made of stainless steel, and the panel walls may be made of stainless steel sheets on the interior with a one-inch polystyrene insulation layer and exterior panels of 18-gauge Kynar-coated galvanized steel. Other embodiments will use different sizes, materials, configurations, and coatings as will occur to those skilled in the art. In this embodiment, container (700) contains collection unit (200), vaporization unit (300), control panel with controller (900), water transfer system (600), burner (350) and blower (370).

In the example shown in FIG. 7, vaporization unit (300) has two exhaust tubes (360), each respectively comprising a stack (361, 362). Container (700) is configured such that stacks (361, 362) exit through the top (701) of container (700). Stacks (361, 362) are operable such that water vapor is passed from stacks into the atmosphere. In some implementations, stacks (361, 362) are “no-loss” stacks that collect heavy compounds, condensate water, and other liquids they encounter into collection unit (200) as discussed below in relation to FIG. 8. In other implementations, stacks (361, 362) simply allow such materials to escape with the vapor.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, blower (370) is fluidly connected to ventilation pipe (391), which extends through container (700) and passes outside of side wall (702) of container (700), where it is exposed to the atmosphere outside of container (700). Ventilation pipe (391) is configured to feed blower (370) with air from the atmosphere outside of container (700).

In the example shown in FIG. 7, container (700) is disposed on the bed of a commercially available trailer (1200) that may be hauled by pickup truck, a semi, or another vehicle with sufficient towing capacity. Thus, exemplary wastewater processing system (1000) shown in FIG. 7 is mobile and may be delivered directly to the site of a well or other source of wastewater, where it may be used to process wastewater. Water vapor (010) may be released from wastewater processing system (1000) on site, thus eliminating the requirement to store and/or haul much of the produced water away from the site. By vaporizing the water and releasing the water vapor, raw wastewater (001) may be reduced in volume by up to approximately 95%, leaving only the “processed” water (004) (in volumes as low as 1/20^(th) of the original volume of wastewater (001)) to be disposed of by conventional measures. Once wastewater processing at a given site is completed, wastewater processing system (1000) may subsequently be moved to other sites to process wastewater as needed.

FIG. 8 illustrates a no-loss stack assembly (800) used in some embodiments of the present invention. Stack assembly (800) comprises stack pipe (810) that extends through the top (701) of container (700) illustrated in FIG. 7. Stack pipe (810) extends burner tube (360) but has a slightly larger diameter so that some space is left between the outside (365) of the end of burner tube (360) and the inside (815) of the bottom (820) of stack pipe (810). The bottom (820) of stack pipe (810) directs water (811) (such as condensed water vapor (010) or atmospheric precipitation) that collects on the inside surface of stack pipe (810) to a drain feature (830), which is connected by tube (835) to raw wastewater inlet (210) or another inlet to top portion (201) of water collection unit (200). Another drain feature (840) at or near the bottom of the bend in burner tube (360) collects water (861) (again, condensed water vapor (010) or atmospheric precipitation) and guides it via tube (845) to raw wastewater inlet (210) or another inlet to top portion (201) of water collection unit (200). In some embodiments, these tubes (835, 845) from all stacks (360) are combined into one or two inlets, while in others the tubes (835, 845) each feed their own inlet, and in still others the drains have a different configuration as will occur to those skilled in the art.

In various embodiments, wastewater processing system (1000) is powered by electrical power that is present at many production sites, a generator that operates on the oil or natural gas that is being generated at the site, or by other means that will occur to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. Similarly, the fuel used by burner (350) may be propane, methane, or natural gas (including flare gas) and be supplied by a separate tank or utility connection, by the fuel being produced at the site, or by other means that will occur to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, burner (350) is adapted to use any of a plurality of different types of fuel, such as a 10MM BTU MAXON OVENPAK LE EB100 Natural Gas Burner with standard mixing cone, short flame type 310 stainless steel burner sleeve, direct spark with flame rod ignition, all from Honeywell (Muncie, Ind.). Other multi-fuel burners and single-fuel burners may be used in other embodiments as will occur to those skilled in the art.

In various embodiments, sensors (215) and (330) are radar sensors such as the VEGAPULS 64 distributed by VEGA Grieshaber KG (Schiltach, Germany). In other embodiments, other radar sensors or other types of sensors are used to monitor the levels of liquids in the bottom of water processing unit (200) and vaporization unit (300), which might use the same or different types of sensors.

A first exemplary wastewater processing apparatus comprises a chamber having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an outer wall; a burner configured to output hot air; a blower configured to deliver the hot air to the lower portion of the chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure; a wastewater introduction port in the upper portion of the chamber; and a vent in fluid communication with the chamber; wherein the hot air is hot enough to vaporize at least a portion of the introduced wastewater.

A second exemplary wastewater processing apparatus according to the first exemplary wastewater processing apparatus has the upper portion separated from the lower portion by a substrate through which the hot air can flow and further comprises a plurality of pall rings in the upper portion above the substrate.

In a third exemplary wastewater processing apparatus according to the second exemplary wastewater processing apparatus, the pall rings are made of metal and define a substantially cylindrical overall shape.

In a fourth exemplary wastewater processing apparatus according to any one of the first through the third exemplary wastewater processing apparatuses, the burner is adapted to produce the hot air using any of a plurality of types of fuel.

A fifth exemplary wastewater processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding exemplary wastewater processing apparatuses further comprises a burner tube extending through at least part of the upper portion of the chamber to the lower portion of the chamber, wherein the blower delivers the hot air to the lower portion through the burner tube.

In a sixth exemplary wastewater processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding exemplary wastewater processing apparatuses, the wastewater introduction port sprays the wastewater into the upper portion of the chamber.

In a seventh exemplary wastewater processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding exemplary wastewater processing apparatuses, the chamber has a drain port, the apparatus further comprising a wastewater level sensor configured to detect a level of wastewater in the lower portion of the chamber; a wastewater collection tank; a first fluid connection from the wastewater collection tank to the wastewater introduction port, the first fluid connection being controlled by a first pump; a second fluid connection from the drain port to the wastewater collection tank, the second fluid connection being controlled by a second pump; and a controller configured to selectively control the first pump and the second pump to recirculate wastewater between the wastewater collection tank and the chamber at least in part as a function of the level of water detected by the water level sensor.

In an eighth exemplary wastewater processing apparatus according to the seventh exemplary wastewater processing apparatus, the wastewater in the lower portion of the chamber absorbs heat from the hot air before being recirculated.

In a ninth exemplary wastewater processing apparatus according to the seventh exemplary wastewater processing apparatus, wastewater is continuously dispensed through the wastewater introduction port at a rate of approximately 50 gpm, and the chamber is configured to vaporize between 6 gpm and 17 gpm of the wastewater.

A first exemplary wastewater processing method comprises the steps of introducing wastewater through a wastewater introduction port into an upper region of a chamber; introducing hot air into a lower region of the chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure, where the hot air is hot enough to vaporize a substantial portion of the wastewater as it moves downward through the chamber; and venting the vaporized portion of the wastewater.

In a second exemplary wastewater processing method according to the first exemplary wastewater processing method, the chamber has a drain port; the drain port is connected to a wastewater collection tank through a first fluid connection that includes a first pump; and the wastewater collection tank is connected to the wastewater introduction port through a second fluid connection that includes a second pump; and the method further comprises the steps of detecting a level of liquid in the lower portion of the chamber and selectively controlling the first pump and the second pump to recirculate wastewater between the wastewater collection tank and the chamber at least in part as a function of the level of wastewater detected.

A third exemplary wastewater processing method according to the second exemplary wastewater processing method further comprises the step of continuously dispensing wastewater through the wastewater introduction port at a rate of approximately 50 gpm, wherein the chamber is configured to vaporize the dispensed wastewater at a rate between 6 gpm and 17 gpm.

In a fourth exemplary wastewater processing method according to the third exemplary wastewater processing method, the wastewater in the lower portion of the chamber absorbs heat from the hot air before being recirculated.

In a fifth exemplary wastewater processing method according to any one of the first through the fourth exemplary wastewater processing methods, the hot air is produced by a burner adapted to use any of a plurality of types of fuel.

In a sixth exemplary wastewater processing method according to any one of the preceding exemplary wastewater processing methods, before the hot air is introduced into the lower region, it passes through a burner tube that extends through the upper region.

In a seventh exemplary wastewater processing method according to the sixth exemplary wastewater processing method, the burner tube is metal and passes heat from the hot air passing through it to the upper region of the chamber.

In an eighth exemplary wastewater processing method according to any one of the preceding exemplary wastewater processing methods, the lower region is separated from the upper region by a substrate through which air can flow; and a plurality of pall rings rests on the substrate.

In a ninth exemplary wastewater processing method according to the eighth exemplary wastewater processing method, the pall rings are made of metal and define a substantially cylindrical overall shape.

A tenth exemplary method of processing wastewater comprises the steps of: collecting a first batch of wastewater, vaporizing a first portion of the first batch of wastewater by exposing the first portion to heated air at approximately atmospheric pressure to form a first vapor, collecting and recycling a mix of both un-vaporized water from the first portion and additional wastewater from the first batch to create a second portion of the first batch of wastewater, and vaporizing at least part of the second portion of the first batch of wastewater by exposing the second portion to heated air at approximately atmospheric pressure to create a second vapor.

An eleventh exemplary wastewater processing method according to the tenth exemplary wastewater processing method further comprises releasing the first and second vapor into an atmosphere.

It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure and the claims.

Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wastewater processing method, comprising the steps of: introducing wastewater through a wastewater introduction port into an upper region of a chamber; introducing hot air into a lower region of the chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure, where the hot air is hot enough to vaporize a substantial portion of the wastewater as it moves downward through the chamber; and venting the vaporized portion of the wastewater.
 2. The wastewater processing method of claim 1, wherein: the chamber has a drain port; the drain port is connected to a wastewater collection tank through a first fluid connection that includes a first pump; and the wastewater collection tank is connected to the wastewater introduction port through a second fluid connection that includes a second pump; the method further comprising the steps of: detecting a level of liquid in the lower region of the chamber; and selectively controlling the first pump and the second pump to recirculate wastewater between the wastewater collection tank and the chamber at least in part as a function of the level of liquid detected.
 3. The wastewater processing method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: continuously dispensing wastewater through the wastewater introduction port at a rate of approximately 50 gpm, wherein the chamber is configured to vaporize the dispensed wastewater at a rate between 6 gpm and 17 gpm.
 4. The wastewater processing method of claim 2, wherein the wastewater in the lower region of the chamber absorbs heat from the hot air before being recirculated.
 5. The wastewater processing method of claim 1, wherein the hot air is produced by a burner adapted to use any of a plurality of types of fuel.
 6. The wastewater processing method of claim 1, wherein: before the hot air is introduced into the lower region, it passes through a burner tube that extends through the upper region.
 7. The wastewater processing method of claim 6, wherein the burner tube is metal and passes heat from the hot air passing through it to the upper region of the chamber.
 8. The wastewater processing method of claim 1, wherein: the lower region is separated from the upper region by a substrate through which air can flow; and a plurality of pall rings rests on the substrate.
 9. The wastewater processing method of claim 8, wherein the pall rings are made of metal and define a substantially cylindrical overall shape.
 10. A method of processing wastewater, the method comprising the steps of: collecting a batch of wastewater; exposing the batch of wastewater to heat at approximately atmospheric pressure; vaporizing a first portion of the batch of wastewater to form a first vapor; combining un-vaporized water from the first portion and additional wastewater from the batch to create a second portion of the batch of wastewater; and vaporizing at least part of the second portion of the batch of wastewater by exposing the second portion to heat at approximately atmospheric pressure to create a second vapor.
 11. The method of processing wastewater of claim 10, further comprising the step of: releasing the first and second vapor into an atmosphere.
 12. The method of processing wastewater of claim 10, wherein exposing the batch to heat further comprises the step of: activating a burner to create the heat, wherein the burner is adapted to use any of a plurality of types of fuel.
 13. The method of processing wastewater of claim 10, wherein the first portion includes a first concentration of a waste, wherein the second portion includes a second concentration of the waste, wherein the second concentration of the waste is greater than the first concentration of the waste.
 14. The method of processing wastewater of claim 13, wherein the waste includes one or more of dissolved solids, suspended solids, and volatile organic compounds.
 15. The method of processing wastewater of claim 13, further comprising the step of: collecting un-vaporized water from the second portion of the batch to create a third portion of the batch of wastewater, wherein the third portion includes a third concentration of the waste, wherein the third concentration of the waste is greater than the second concentration of the waste.
 16. The method of processing wastewater of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: measuring a concentration of waste of the second portion of the batch of wastewater, wherein the waste includes one or more of dissolved solids, suspended solids, and volatile organic compounds; comparing the concentration of waste with a predetermined acceptable concentration of waste; and disposing of the second portion of the batch of wastewater if the concentration of waste is equal to or greater than the predetermined acceptable concentration of waste.
 17. The method of processing wastewater of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: if the concentration of waste is less than the predetermined acceptable concentration of waste, combining un-vaporized water from the second portion and additional wastewater from the batch to create a third portion of the batch of wastewater, and vaporizing at least part of the third portion by exposing the third portion to heated air at approximately atmospheric pressure.
 18. A wastewater processing method, comprising the steps of: introducing wastewater through a wastewater introduction port into an upper region of a chamber; introducing heat into the chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure, wherein the heat is operable to vaporize a first portion of the wastewater as it moves downward toward a lower region of the chamber, wherein a second portion of the wastewater collects as a liquid in the lower region of the chamber; venting the first portion of the wastewater into an atmosphere; and circulating the second portion of the wastewater to a wastewater collection tank.
 19. The wastewater processing method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: prior to circulating the second portion of the wastewater to a wastewater collection tank, detecting a level of the liquid of the second portion in the lower region of the chamber; comparing the detected level of the liquid to a predetermined threshold liquid level; and activating a circulation pump if the detected level of liquid is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold liquid level.
 20. The wastewater processing method of claim 18, wherein: the lower region is separated from the upper region by a substrate through which air can flow; and a plurality of pall rings rests on the substrate. 